Being A Slut

  It was a loud night, the beginning of a terrifying storm when the rumbling thunder had jolted the entire sky, something terrible was about to happen. Two men, one was young and another was mature, were standing facing each other on the terrace of a large building. The young man appeared tense, frightened, devastated, and lamenting. His body seemed to have some severe wounds which were given by the man standing opposite to him, the matured man who seemed like a gangster. The mature man was smoking a cigarette, puffing out a cloud of white smoke, in the wild storm. He was tall, lump, heavy beard , and seemed to be wealthy, powerful, and arrogant. His hand had more rings than fingers, and he was wearing a thick gold chain with the pendant in the shape of two alphabets, RS.  ‘I know your dirty secrets, I will bloody expose you,’ said the young man, panting hard. ‘I never thought one could be so cruel?’  ‘This is how the world works, foolish man,’ said the matured man, jerking the ash from the cigarette. ‘I offered you a high amount to be quiet, but you refused, and you know I don’t accept threats and refusals.’  ‘So do I,’ the young man said with extreme pain. ‘I am not a commodity which could be bought and sold.’  ‘So do you think you could expose me?’ The mature man jeered. ‘This world dances on my d**k you asshole.’  ‘I know you are a d**k,’ the young man shouted.  ‘Perhaps, a hard one,’ the matured man snapped. ‘You fool, the whole media, police, and the complete system work under my ass. Do you think, they could write anything against me?’  ‘Now I know why no one bothered to hear me,’ said the young man, angrily. ‘The bloody corrupt traitors. But doesn’t matter what has happened, I will bloody expose you; I know everything about you and your all dirty secrets, I will put my whole life to destroy you.’  ‘You will put your whole life?’ Said the mature man, laughing loudly. ‘But didn’t I tell you that you don’t have any life left?'  The young man looked at him suspiciously.  ‘You will die today, you bastard,’ said the matured man, pointing the gun at the young man.  ‘So, that’s it,’ the younger man said with a poor smile on his face. ‘You want to end me like this? But I am not scared. I have already written my death sentence when I chose to stand against you, and if not me then someday, someone will destroy you and your ego. Come on press the trigger and end this battle for now.’  ‘I don’t kill people; I torture them, I enjoy watching them in pain, I enjoy fondling their most infected and weak wounds,’ the matured man said, jeering at him.  ‘I apologize,’ the young man said in a teasing voice. ‘But you will not enjoy it today, I am not weak nor am I afraid of death.’  ‘Maybe, but I know what scares you the most, I know your weakness,’ said matured man with a hint of menace in his voice. ‘Your beautiful wife and a small daughter. You must be worried about them. Aren’t you?’  ‘Don’t you dare to take the name of my wife.’  ‘I am not that cruel,’ the matured man said, pretending to be concerned. ‘I will take care of them. I will employ your wife in my house to look after it. She will clean floor, toilets, cook for me and please my servants by riding on their cocks.’  ‘SHUT YOUR f*****g MOUTH,’ the young man roared.  ‘Yeah, I wanted to see that - your f*****g emotions,’ the matured man said with a cruel smile. ‘I will accept your sweet little daughter and nurture her at the brothel, where she will learn how to please the men; I will enjoy her, brutalise her, roam her naked in my home where my dogs will play with her body, and I will make her the BIGGEST SLUT OF THIS TOWN.’  ‘AAHHHH! ‘ENOUGH, f**k OFF MOTHERFUCKER,’ the young man came charging down with the bad leg, but all of a sudden, the other man pressed the trigger, and two bullets pierced his body, and he fell dead on the terrace.  As Garima finished reading an anonymous letter, the scene went blurred and ultimately vanished from her mind. It was a letter that had described the complete scene as pictured above, but it was all anonymous. No one knew who wrote the letter, what was it all about or who was shot dead, and who was the man who fired the bullet.  It was 26th December 2009, when Garima was sitting on a plastic chair in a tea stall along with one of the localite to whom she had invited for tea to gather some information about the city and the anonymous letter under the mild winter rain which was falling unusually in the Ravanda city. Garima had large eyes, round fair face with big round specs. She appeared more like a student, but she was wearing an identity card of one of the top international media company on which JOURNALIST was written in the capital and bold. The mysterious letter and some terrible news had bought her attention to this strange and vile city. She had worked hard to find information about the letter and the city, but she couldn’t seek much instead everything seemed to be more broken and mysterious. However, her research had helped her to find a man who was known as an informer in the city, whose name was Shastri, but people generally called him Shastri Ji.  He had a natural tone and appearance and his teeth were turned reddish due to excessive consumption of nuts and tobacco. Whatever he might be, but he was of great asset to those, who need the information. They were sitting at a tea stall which was established with bare minimum things including a few lame plastic chairs and a stretched roof covered with a black tarp.  Other than Garima and Shastri, some locals were enjoying their meal and listening to the radio which appeared to be ancient, but it was running news which invited everyone’s attention.  ‘.......A woman was brutally r***d in daylight in the town of Ravanda by the violent mob. The city is burning since the blasts took place in the warehouses run by Maksood Khan....’  ‘Sixth incident since last one month,’ said one of the persons, eating some snacks.  ‘This is horrific.’  ‘This city is going wild,’ said the beard with a heavy voice. ‘But why r****g the girls? Girls haven’t triggered the blast.’  ‘But they trigger men! Most of them follow western cultures like wearing jeans, shorts, and other revealing clothes. Boys get distracted by their appearance,’ said the other one.  ‘He is right,’ said a dark-skinned man. ‘Yesterday, I saw a girl in a short skirt, even I could not control my feelings.’  ‘Yeah, you are right,’ said a half bald old man, looking at the ass c***k of a girl. ‘Boys do get carried away and then r***s happen.’  ‘I agree, and we all should believe in our culture. Earlier, people used to marry a woman at small ages, but now?’  ‘Yeah, you are right. My daughter was married when she was 17. She argued that she wanted to study more, but, you know who cares for a girl to study.’  ‘But, I guess you did it too early, a girl should be allowed to study and follow the dreams.’  ‘Dreams? Doesn’t matter how much educated a girl is, she is married only on the merits of her expertise in the kitchen.’  ‘I don’t think......’  People were muttering and gossiping about their personal life as always. But, away from their useless debates, Garima was focusing on her first mission, her first operation. She knew that it would not be going to be easy, but she was ready for it. Out of her sheer excitement to know about the incident and the letter, Garima started the conversation.  ‘Shastri Ji, I want to know more about all this letter,’ said Garima, keeping the letter inside her bag. Shastri took his cup of tea and had a sip. He then took a salty biscuit from the opened packet and ate it. After chewing, he burped and said.  ‘What did you tell me? You came from?’  ‘Shastri Ji,’ said Garima, giving a sharp look. ‘I told you before, that I came from Delhi.’  ‘Hmm,’ murmured Shastri. ‘So, you came altogether from Delhi by trusting a piece of shit.’  ‘Shastri Ji,’ Garima said. ‘What are you talking about?’  ‘I am talking sense,’ said Shastri, banging his fist on the table splitting a few drops of tea out of the cone-shaped glass. ‘You shouldn’t have believed a piece of paper and came here risking your life. This place is not safe for women. Don’t you see what’s happening nowadays? Go away as soon as possible.’  ‘Shastri Ji, this letter can’t be false,’ Garima replied with utmost confidence. ‘Someone wrote it two years back, and it is my inner feelings that I should go forward with the investigation. It is my desire to prove and expose the mystery, and I can’t let this chance go away.’  ‘Life is more important than a chance, and there is a war going on and it can turn violent at any moment.’  ‘A war? Which war?’ Garima asked.  ‘That is not important, just do as I say, go back.’  ‘No, I am not going back,’ Garima replied furiously. ‘I am not a coward.’  ‘Coward?’ Shastri jeered. ‘How could you say you are not a coward? You haven’t seen the fear yet. You will piss in your panties, girl.’  Garima glanced at him coldly.  ‘I am not going away,’ she repeated firmly.  ‘Then go and investigate,’ said Shastri with disinterest. ‘Why are you wasting my time?’  ‘That’s what I am doing here,’ Garima said sharply. ‘I want information Shastri Ji and not advice.’  ‘Attitude, fire, and determination could be a deadly combination, I am impressed,’ said Shastri, staring at her. ‘But tell me why should I help you?’  ‘Why? There is something we need to reveal about this letter. The man is dead, and I have no idea about the person who wrote the letter. So, if you help me, we can solve this mystery and help the man getting justice,’ she replied.  ‘JUSTICE?’ Shastri laughed. ‘Madam, you are too cute and naive. You didn’t understand. I am saying what will I get in return? You are a journalist, so you should know there are no free lunches.’  ‘Okay,’ said Garima impatiently. ‘What do you need?’  ‘What can you offer?’ Said Shastri, eating a biscuit.  ‘Tell me bluntly.’  ‘Madam, in this town, men are impressed by only two things; Money and honey.’  ‘Honey?’  ‘Woman,’ Shastri said.  Garima got upset.  Shastri noticed. ‘Madam,’ said Shastri, leaning forward, ‘you are putting your leg in a pot full of s**t, so don’t get upset so soon. It is just a beginning. You don’t know what lies ahead.’  ‘I am not upset. I was just....,’  ‘I know, it’s your first time and it always pains during the first time, but once you get used to, you will start enjoying,’ Shastri jeered.  Garima could understand his double meaning jeer.  ‘Take my advice. Be brave and open because the job in this town is very different, and you may not like it.’ ‘ You seemed to have a lot of knowledge about my job.’  ‘I have seen girls like you, sleeping with politicians in our town,’ said Shastri, pointing his hand at Garima. ‘Our town is kind to a woman who know trade. A woman can get anything here if she offers one thing for which a man is always mad for.’  ‘Mr. SHASTRI!,’ Garima almost shouted.  ‘Don’t shout,’ he said slowly. ‘I told you to be open and brave, or the truth will rip you apart. I guess you are just a child. Go back to Delhi because you are of no worth.’  ‘I am not going back to Delhi,’ Garima said, grinding her teeth. ‘And as a matter of fact, I am not those kinds of girls, who sleep with people to get the promotion.’  ‘Sleeping with the politicians and making them happy isn’t an easy job.’  ‘ENOUGH,’ said Garima angrily. ‘What do you want?’ Silence echoed for a few moments.  ‘Okay,’ said Shastri in an off mood.  ‘What can you offer?’  ‘I can give you money,’ said Garima slowly.  ‘I have no interest in money,’ Shastri snaped.  ‘Then?’ ‘Then what?’ ‘Then what else you need?’  ‘I told you man here are only impressed by two things, money and woman and so do I,’  ‘Shastri Ji, mind your language. You are crossing the line,’ Garima said furiously.  ‘Hey shut up,’ Shastri said. ‘I didn’t come to you, you came to me, so I will decide what I need.’  Garima glanced back.  ‘I need you to sleep with me,’ Shastri whispered, leaning forward. ‘And I will give you the information. You have five minutes to think otherwise deal is off the table.’  ‘You are horrible and pathetic. This is how you talk to a girl,’ Garima almost shouted. ‘I think I have made a brutal mistake by coming here and meeting you in the first place. I should have tried something else, and as a matter of fact, I will try something else. I will go and find information on my own.’  Shastri jeered. ‘You are wasting time and let me tell you that no one here in the whole city will listen to your bullshit even for a second. So, you have no option except the one I offered.’  Garima was fumed and infuriated. She remained silent. She knew that the offer was in any case not acceptable to her. How could she even think of sleeping with a weird man for information? She was thinking when Shastri suddenly smiled.  ‘Madam, I know what are you thinking. No girl wants to compromise with anyone,’ Shastri said, looking sharply in her eyes. ‘People who trade a woman’s body with anything, are no less than a filthy piece of bat dropping.’ Garima looked confused.  ‘I did all this to make you realize that there are no ‘THOSE KINDS OF GIRLS’. Girls are girls! It is only the circumstances that force anyone to do something which they have never thought before.’  Garima understood and realised her mistake. What a naive was she to think that Shastri was a badass. ‘I am sorry, but I didn’t mean to offend you.’  ‘I know, its ok. I will help you, but do you mind if I ask you some questions? I want to know if I can trust you.’  ‘Of course, you can,’ Garima said with a smile. ‘Where do you live in Ravanda?’  ‘Right now, I am staying in a hotel at Khali Gadi street.’  ‘Which hotel?’  ‘Tajinder Singh hotel,’ Garima replied.  ‘Garima, what do you want to do with the information? What are your plans?’ Shastri asked.  ‘Plans?’ Garima replied sharply  ‘Garima, I know journalists don’t roam around only to investigate. If you have come to this city, you must be backed,’ Shastri said.  ‘I want to collect every piece of information and then I will wire it nationally and internationally. It is like a sting operation for Ravanda, and.....’ Garima restrained herself from saying everything. ‘...and that’s it.’  ‘Tell me the complete plan,’ Shastri said. ‘This is a complete plan,’  ‘If you can’t trust me, then there is no point being here,’ Shastri said and as he raised his ass from the chair, Garima spoke.  ‘I HAVE convinced some top international media about this city and they have agreed to help me investigate,’ Garima confessed her plan.  ‘They knew that Ravanda is vile, cruel and famous for dark and mysterious things. So, if I could find something, they will come to this city and help me expose everything.’  ‘Then why are you worried about this letter?’  ‘Because this letter is my first step. I believe that this letter is a the master key to all the mystery of this town.’ ‘And how will you contact them?’ ‘They have assigned me a phone, along with all the emergency numbers. I just need to call them,’ Garima whispered.  ‘That’s great! Our city needs people like you,’ Shastri said. Garima nodded.  ‘Now, you can ask whatever you want to,’ Shastri said. ‘I want to know everything about this letter,’ she asked.  ‘I told you, I have no idea about this letter,’ Shastri replied. ‘Please ask anything else.’  ‘Shastri Ji, this is the only thing I had.’ ‘I know, but I have no idea about this.’  ‘Then tell me who is M.L. Rao?’ Garima asked.  ‘M.L. Rao? Shastri repeated. ‘Yeah.’ ‘Sorry, no idea.’  ‘f**k,’ Garima grunted in frustration. ‘Ok,’ she exhaled.  ‘Do you know who is Keshav?’ ‘Keshav?’ Shastri raised his eyes along with other people on the tea stall as soon as they heard the name.  ‘Don’t take his name, it’s not safe here,’ Shastri said sharply.  ‘Okay,’ Garima replied suspiciously.  ‘How do you know about him?’ Shastri whispered.  ‘I told you I did my research and even today’s newspaper has his name, he had been linked with the bl...’ ‘Huh,’ Shastri grunted  ‘Oh sorry,’ Garima murmured. ‘He is one person who is very famous here, everyone knows his name, but I don’t know why they don’t talk about him.’  ‘He is a very famous boy in the city,’ Shastri replied.  ‘But why?’  ‘Because he took on some of the mighty powers independently. It was courageous of him.’  ‘Who is he? A policeman?’  Shastri chuckled.  ‘No, he is just a schoolboy.’  ‘A SCHOOLBOY?’ Garima was stunned.  ‘Yeah, a schoolboy, but very different. The amount of intelligence and bravery he got are just immense.’ ‘What did he do to take on the mighty powers,’ she asked.  ‘It is a long story, something very nasty, very terrible.’  ‘Terrible?’ she asked.  ‘Yeah, terrible, the whole city is terrible,’ Shastri replied.  ‘Can you take me to him,’ Garima asked.  ‘Yeah I can but...’  ‘But what?’ ‘I want to warn you before you poke your nose here. Once you put your nose into this mess, then there will be no going back. Your journey will be through the worst side of this town which is terrible, atrocious and unbearable. You may be killed or worst, r***d and thrown in a well of p**********n from where you might never come back.’  He noticed the change of facial expressions on her face.  ‘I am not trying to scare you or make you run away, but I want to warn you before you go forward with this mission. People can be terrible, they may use you and squeeze your body for fun. You can’t trust anybody. So, it’s better you find a good partner who can support you,’ Shastri said.  ‘A good partner?’  ‘Yeah, the one who understands this city like..... like me,’ said Shastri.  Garima looked tensed and scared, she was convinced that Shastri was a good man, but that does not mean she would start staying with him. Anyways, she was very much clear that she would be moving alone even after the firm warning by Shastri.  ‘I want to go forward with it,’ she said.  ‘I don’t know what to say, but there is a difference between being brave and being foolish,’ Shastri said.  ‘I didn’t get you,’  ‘Do you know why no one touched this case ever before?’  ‘Maybe, because people are too scared to take this on.’  ‘Yeah, true, because the city works as a system, a dirty one. Do you think a dog can bite the hand which feeds him? Never! All these media houses, corporates, politicians do their dirty work in this city. This is a mess, a dirty mess. No one could ever go through once sucked in.’  Garima was scared but appeared confident.  ‘I wish for your success, but there is a very minute chance that you will go through,’ Shastri said.  ‘Even a fraction of a chance is enough for me,’ Garima said. ‘But tell me why no journalist ever came to this city?’  ‘It is not that journalist didn’t come to this city, or media or newspaper do not work here. They work here as they do in other cities, but they do not write or wire the truth or reveal the true side of this town.’  ‘That’s strange that among so many people, no one dared to poke their nose into these matters?’ Garima asked.  ‘Many journalists tried, but no one could ever complete their investigation. I remember, one journalist came here to cover a story. She was a nice lady, who came here to find out about the brutal r***s, but she could never complete her investigation or research, whatever you might call it.’  ‘But why?’  ‘Don’t know,’  ‘What happened to her?’ She asked.  ‘No idea,’ he replied.  ‘So, I guess this boy Keshav, could be of great help. I am eager to know how could a schoolboy shook the mighty old trees when so many people could not,’ Garima said.  ‘Hmm. He did, but I am afraid he will be going to lose this battle and bear some unbearable consequences,’ he said.  ‘What? Why do you think he is going to lose?’   ‘Madam doesn’t matter how much brave he is, but a school student doesn’t stand a chance against these dire powers. You will get to know once you deal with them.’  That was the bitter truth. Garima knew that the battle would be hard. Perhaps, Shastri Ji was right; a school student doesn’t stand a chance against the mighty powers.  ‘Shastri Ji, maybe you are right, but he must be aware of this fact that he could not beat the mighty powers alone, so maybe either he has a plan, or he isn’t alone.’  ‘This is all complicated madam, and I don’t want myself to be in, so please don’t discuss it anymore.’  ‘By the way, where is he right now? I am dying to meet him.’  ‘Who?’ Shastri asked.  ‘Keshav,’  ‘He was shifted to the hospital early morning, from the police custody.’  ‘Police custody?’ Garima asked shockingly. ‘But why?’  ‘He is bearing some consequences already, he has been r***d,’ he said.  ‘r***d? How could this be possible?’  ‘Possible? You think boys can’t be r***d?’ Shastri asked. ‘Cunt is not the main reason for r**e, but the mentality which nurtures a false belief that one can dominate the other.’  Garima nodded. ‘I want to meet him,’ she asked  ‘Okay, I will take you,’ he replied  ‘Let’s go,’ Garima said. They both stood up from the tea stall and went towards his old 100CC scooter.  ‘Are you comfortable sitting on a scooter?’  ‘Not much, but I am ready to take on anything now.’  ‘Great, you are learning fast,’ Shastri replied. Shastri kicked the scooter, but it didn’t start. After a tough battle, the engine screamed with a rough sound. Garima sat behind Shastri Ji by keeping both her legs on one side. Shastri pulled the clutch to shift gear. With a loud roar, the scooter wheels moved, and they went on their way to the hospital. During the travel time, Shastri Ji kept on talking to her and asking about her personal life.  ‘Why are you living alone in this city?’ He asked.  ‘Is living alone is a crime?’  ‘No, but it’s not safe when you are a woman.’  ‘I don’t have any option,’ Garima said with disinterest.  ‘You can stay with me as I suggested.’  ‘No, I guess I don’t want to bother you,’ she replied.  ‘Not at all. You can stay there; it will be safe. You are my friend now, and this is the least I can do for you.’  ‘I will think about it,’ she tried to ignore. After around fifteen minutes of travel, they finally reached the hospital. Shastri Ji stopped his old scooter right before the hospital gate. Garima slid down and stood up on her feet again.  ‘Thank you, Shastri Ji, You made my work very easy.’ Shastri smiled.  ‘In Ravanda, people hug each other to express their gratitude.’  ‘Oh! I am sorry,’ said Garima and moved forward to hug Shastri lightly. Shastri also came forward to hug her, but not lightly. He held her tight and started massaging his hand on her back and his nose on her neck. Garima felt it awkward and insulting.  ‘SHASTRI Ji,’ she shouted with anger and pushed him back. Shastri was making weird faces as if he enjoyed a lot. Garima stood shocked and stunned. She was confused by the instant change of the action and mood. But even before Garima could say anything, some boys sitting on an open jeep glared at Garima and made a hooting noise.  ‘Shastri Ji, is she also pregnant? From where did you buy this hot piece of meat?’ One of the boys said in a lustful manner.  ‘What did he say? Buy her? She asked.  Shastri jeered. ‘Cute little girl is standing like a statue,’ Shastri jeered. ‘This is a problem with nice young girls. You trust people so early.’  ‘What are you talking about?’ Garima stood bewildered and her face screwed up. Shastri could see the tightness around Garima’s mouth, the barely suppressed anger in the eyes.  ‘I told you not to trust anyone.’ he jeered. ‘But you did, and told me everything, all your plans, your secrets. Now, I have all your information, and that’s what my business is.’  Garima became red and furious. ‘I will sell your information to the gangs in exchange of hefty money, and soon you will taste some vile c***s,’ he laughed. ‘And you know a woman only matters to a man because she has a hole between her legs.’  ‘What did you say you dirty piece of s**t?’ Garima said, and her soft hands curled into a clenched fist.   ‘Oh, Shut up, or else I will tear you right here,’ Shastri shouted. ‘And I have a surprise for you.’  Garima looked back at him suspiciously.  ‘Check your bag and find what is missing?’  ‘What?’ said Garima, and started searching her bag.  ‘MY PHONE,’  ‘Yeah,’ he laughed. ‘Now, you are stuck! I got your phone, as clean as I could.’  ‘GIVE IT TO ME, YOU...’ (SLAPPED) Shastri slapped Garima, which left her shocked and furious.  ‘How dare you shout at me, you cheap slut,’ Shastri roared.  ‘Please return it, it is my per.....’  ‘Personal phone?’ Shastri said. ‘I know, and it must be having your personal photos, your nude photos.’  ‘Return it please,’ said Garima, shivering in extreme anger.  ‘I will jerk on your photos, my sexy slut,’ Shastri jeered.  Garima was panting, her eyes were wet, and she was so angry that she couldn’t speak.  ‘You have put your nose into a wrong place dear girl, and you will regret it,’ he said and accelerated his scooter. ‘WELCOME TO RAVANDA,’ he jeered and went away.